Ethan Carney is a driven individual who knows the meaning of hard work and dedication. As a Division I college track and field athlete at the University of Arkansas, Ethan spends much of his time training and competing at a high level for his main event, the 800 meter dash. Along with his athletics, he also has a passion for entrepreneurship, and is currently pursuing an MBA alongside his college track career. In this article, we will get an inside look at how Ethan manages to balance his rigorous training schedule with his academics and entrepreneurial dreams. From early morning workouts to late night study sessions and business meetings, we will see how Ethan Carney is making the most of his time as a student-athlete and future business leader.

8:00 – 9:00 AM: Wake up, get ready, and have breakfast at the Jones Center

Ethan starts his day with a healthy meal at the campus dining hall, the Jones. He uses this time to fuel up for the day, grab a coffee, and socialize with some teammates/friends. 

Related: Get Your Zzzzzs! Why is Sleep Important for College Athletes

9:00 – 10:00 AM: Weights

After breakfast, Ethan hits the gym for a weightlifting session to build his strength and endurance. In the track performance center, he will warm up and get a great lifting session with the men's college track and field team and the strength and conditioning coach. 

10:00 AM: Shower and get ready

After finishing his workout, Ethan heads home to take a shower and get ready for the rest of his day. He does this as quickly as he can to get everything organized and start his day.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Chill in the lounge or study

With some free time before his next class, Ethan either relaxes at the college track athlete lounge or does some studying to keep up with his coursework. He utilizes athletic resources to take time to focus and get some things done or take a little bit of time to himself.

12:00 PM –  Lunch at the Jones

Ethan enjoys his midday meal at the campus dining hall, the Jones Center. He typically gets a sandwich from the made-to-go sandwich bar and always stays hydrated with water. 

Related: Nutrition Advice with USC Assistant Dietitian Jaymin McJimpson

12:30 – 1:45 PM: Economics class

Ethan then attends his economics class, which is part of his MBA program. He is finishing up his undergraduate degree and working towards his MBA at the same time. This obviously keeps Ethan very busy. 

2:00 – 3:30 PM: Running practice

As a college track and field athlete, Ethan spends a significant portion of his day practicing. Being an 800-meter runner, a lot of Ethan's practices involve running workouts. These tend to be hard workouts, but some days can be harder than others. Ethan will get ready for these workouts as best he can with preparation throughout the day. 

3:30 – 4:00 PM: Rehab and shower

After practice, Ethan takes some time to do rehab exercises with the team's athletic trainers. Prioritizing his treatment to ensure his physical well-being is taken care of to compete at his best. He then will return home to take a shower and finish off the day.

4:00 – 6:00 PM: Business work

Ethan spends a couple of hours working on his business projects and assignments. He will focus on his current company and his future company project plans along with the school work needed to get done. 

Related: Become an Academic All-Star: 5 Important Studying Tips for College Athletes

6:00 PM: Make dinner

Ethan prepares dinner for himself, likely focusing on healthy and nutritious options to fuel his active lifestyle. He recognizes how important fueling is being an athlete and taking this into account while making his own meals. 

7:30 – 10:30 PM: Free time

In the evenings, Ethan enjoys some free time to relax and unwind, which could include anything from hanging out with friends to pursuing personal hobbies. For Ethan, free time is needed so that he has the energy to complete all that he does.

11:00 PM: Sleep

Ethan heads to bed at a reasonable hour to make sure he gets enough sleep for his body to rest from his workouts and studies. 

What's a day in your life like? Share your Daily Grind at [email protected].

Image Credit: Razorbacks TF Twitter

* Originally published on June 14, 2023, by Amanda Fassold